OXFORD UNIVERSITY ALUMNI BOARD AND FORUM

Alumni Board

As part of Oxford’s commitment to strengthening the connection between our alumni and the University, with a focus on our strategic priorities, the Alumni Board has been restructured. Its new structure will foster a closer partnership with the University and allow alumni to play a more integral role in advancing Oxford’s key initiatives and long-term objectives.

For questions about the alumni board, please email alumniboard@alumni.ox.ac.uk

 

Alumni Forum

Complementing this change, we are delighted to launch the Alumni Forum — a new, broader platform designed to give alumni a stronger voice.

The Alumni Forum offers an exceptional opportunity for alumni to help shape Oxford’s future. Bringing together a diverse and dynamic group from around the world, Forum members will serve as a valued sounding board for the University: providing insights on new initiatives, sharing perspectives on alumni priorities, and ensuring Oxford’s engagement reflects the breadth and richness of our global community.

We warmly invite all eligible members of our alumni community to nominate themselves to join the Forum. Ideal candidates will be passionate about Oxford’s future, ready to share their expertise, and eager to contribute to the University’s ongoing evolution.

Forum members will be invited on an ongoing basis to offer their feedback and perspectives on University initiatives. Members should expect to be approached at least three times a year, and will have the flexibility to choose which initiatives they wish to respond to. 

Nominations will be reviewed and appointments made throughout the year, depending on the volume of nominations received. Appointed members will serve a three-year term. To allow for effective management of the Forum, membership will be capped at approximately 200 members at any time. To learn more about eligibility and the selection process, and to submit your nomination, please take a look at the Alumni Forum Selection Process below and complete the Nomination Form. More information is also available in the Alumni Forum Terms of Reference. 

We will be assessing nominations in the coming weeks and hope to launch the Forum officially in Trinity Term 2026. 

For any enquiries about the Alumni Forum, please contact Development and Alumni Engagement.

Purpose

To outline the procedures for nominating alumni to serve on the Alumni Forum, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and fair representation.

Eligibility

To be considered for nomination to the Alumni Forum, candidates must meet the following criteria: 

  • Alumni status: 
    • Must be an alumnus/alumna or an associate of the University of Oxford (for further information on eligibility criteria please see: https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/eligibility).
    • Nominees must not currently be employed by the Collegiate University. 
    • Strategic alignment and alumni connection
    • Clear understanding of and commitment to the University’s strategic goals and alumni engagement efforts.
    • Active support for alumni relations and related initiatives.
  • Availability and commitment
    • Ability to contribute time and expertise to the University.
    • In agreement with Development and Alumni Engagement, respond to requests for feedback to support the work of the University of Oxford, as further outlined in the Terms of Reference for the Alumni Forum. 
    • Ability to provide feedback on at least one initiative per year.
    • Willingness to serve for a fixed term (three years). 

Nomination process

  • Any eligible alumnus/alumna may self-nominate, be nominated by another alumnus/alumna, or by the University of Oxford.
  • Each nomination must include:
    • A completed nomination form.
    • A current CV or resumé.
    • Applications to join the Forum may be submitted at any time, and members can be selected to join throughout the academic year.

Screening and validation

  • A Selection Committee, the Director of Alumni Engagement and senior colleagues in Development and Alumni Engagement will review submissions.
  • The Committee will verify eligibility and evaluate nominations based on the eligibility criteria as set out above. 
  • The nominee’s college(s) will be consulted about the nomination before an appointment is made. 
  • Development and Alumni Engagement will undertake appropriate due diligence, including background and other checks on nominees, to confirm their suitability and ensure alignment with the University’s values.

Appointment

  • Successful candidates are formally appointed by the Director of Alumni Engagement.

Term and Responsibilities

  • Forum members serve a three-year term. 
  • When called upon, they are expected to:
    • represent the views of the alumni community in contributing advice and feedback on University initiatives and strategies.
    • Provide diversity of thought and experiences into the University’s decision-making processes with a Forum that reflects the broad alumni community across a wide range of characteristics, including matriculation year, academic background, gender, ethnicity, location, and industry/profession.
    • Support the strategic aims of the University of Oxford in order to maximise the engagement of alumni in the life of the University of Oxford.

Review and amendments

  • This nomination process will be reviewed periodically, normally every three years.